Pierce County Washington

Pierce County, a land of Puget Sound shores, glaciated plains, and the high Cascades of the Mount Rainier region, is located in western Washington. The Oregon Territorial Legislature created Pierce County December 22, 1852, shortly before Washington Territory was created by Congress in 1853. It was named in honor of Franklin Pierce, fourteenth President of the United States.

According to the U.S. Census , the county has a total area of 1,806 square miles, of which 1,679 square miles is land and 128 square miles (7.06%) is water. The highest natural point in Washington, Mt Rainier at 14,410 feet is the most prominent volcano in the Cascade Mountains.

Pierce County has a population of 813,600, the second most populous county in Washington State, according to the state Office of Financial Management . The county seat is Tacoma , which is also the county’s largest city. There are 21 incorporated cities and towns in Pierce County, each with a unique array of qualities: Bonney Lake, Buckley, Carbonado, Dupont, Eatonville, Edgewood, Fife, Fircrest, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Milton, Orting, Puyallup , Roy, Ruston, South Prairie, Steilacoom, Sumner, Tacoma, University Place and Wilkeson; whereas parts of Auburn, Encumlaw and Pacific are located in Pierce County while the remaining parts of the city are in King County.